U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Skip Header


Public Use Microdata Areas (PUMAs)

PUMA Overview

Public Use Microdata Areas (PUMAs) are non-overlapping, statistical geographic areas that partition each state or equivalent entity into geographic areas containing no fewer than 100,000 people each. They cover the entirety of the United States, Puerto Rico, and Guam. The Census Bureau defines PUMAs for the tabulation and dissemination of decennial census and American Community Survey (ACS) Public Use Microdata Sample (PUMS) data. Additionally, the ACS and Puerto Rico Community Survey use them to disseminate their respective period estimates.

The delineation of new PUMAs occurs after the completion of the decennial census as part of a program involving the State Data Centers (SDCs). Decennial census population counts and updated census tracts are critical inputs into the delineation process.

 

Public Use Microdata Samples (PUMS) Data

Reference Information

PUMA Names Files
PUMA Equivalency Files

Geographic equivalency files show the relationship between the 2010 PUMAs and counties, governmental minor civil divisions (MCDs), places, and census tracts.

Census Tract to PUMA Relationship Files

Relationship files identify the census tracts that are contained within a PUMA. Census tracts completely nest within PUMA boundaries and serve as the building block of PUMA geography.

Where Can I Find More Information?

Find information on the history of PUMAs as well as tools to compare PUMAs or locate geographic entities found within PUMAs from the links below.

After opening TIGERweb, select the second tab, “TIGERweb Applications”, along the top of the window then select either the “TIGERweb” or the “TIGERweb Decennial” applications along the left side of the window.

  1. Select the TIGERweb option to view the 2020 PUMAs in either the “Current” or “Census 2020” vintages or
  2. Select the TIGERweb Decennial option to view the 2020 PUMAs, 2010 PUMAs, or 2000 PUMAs in either “Census 2020”, “Census 2010”, or “Census 2000” vintages. The Compare tool is available to visually compare two vintages of data.

Refer to the TIGERweb User Guide for detailed instructions on using the application.

Contact Information

For questions regarding PUMAs, contact the Census Bureau by email at geo.puma@census.gov.

 

 

Page Last Revised - September 7, 2023
Is this page helpful?
Thumbs Up Image Yes Thumbs Down Image No
NO THANKS
255 characters maximum 255 characters maximum reached
Thank you for your feedback.
Comments or suggestions?

Top

Back to Header